Donor Stories
Robin and Tim Norris
Yellow Jacket athletics is a genuine passion for Robin and Tim Norris, MATH 1977, MS ICS 1982. The Norrises’ devotion to the entire Tech athletics program has led the couple to make a significant bequest provision that will one day benefit athletics as well as provide scholarships for students throughout the Institute.
“A major factor in our decision to include Tech athletics in our wills was the enjoyment Robin and I have received from Georgia Tech sports over the years,” said Norris, a long-time donor to athletics. “We attend a wide range of sporting events both at home and away, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, women’s tennis, volleyball, and golf. In fact, we have season tickets to all sports that offer them.” Norris has attended 175 consecutive Georgia Tech football games, including postseason, and last missed a game in 1994. Mrs. Norris missed only 2 games during the same period. Scholarships will be the focus of the Norrises’ estate gift.
“We plan for most of our Alexander-Tharpe Fund gift to be directed toward endowed scholarships for men and women athletes because we appreciate the effort required to excel as an athlete and a student,” Norris explained. “Athletics is a major part of the Georgia Tech experience and brings alumni of all ages together. If you have an interest in sports, you can believe Georgia Tech will be competitive while also playing by the rules.”
“This very generous gift from Tim and Robin Norris will have a tremendous impact on our student-athletes,” said Athletics Director Dan Radakovich. “Offering scholarships in more sports, while also permanently endowing a larger number of scholarships overall, is a critical ongoing goal for us. The Norrises have brought us much closer to that goal, and our student-athletes will be the beneficiaries.”
The Norrises’ estate gift will also create several different endowments within the Georgia Tech Foundation, including support for the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program, scholarships for mathematics majors and for students studying abroad, general scholarships, and the Yellow Jacket Marching Band.
Tim and Robin Norris also point out that using a bequest provision as their gift vehicle allows them to have use of the funds during their lifetimes while also providing a future gift to Georgia Tech. The estate gift also simplified their estate planning since charitable gifts reduce estate taxes.
